Flexible closure for containers and the like



Feb. 18, 1936. J. F. KELLER FLEXIBLE CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 26, 1935 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 18, 1936 UNETE STATE$ 'E' QFFICE FLEXIBLE CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE 7 Claims.

The object of the present invention is to provide a closure particularly adapted for small containers, types being cigarette and vanity cases, the closure comprising small interconnected metallic units forming a flexible curtain.

The characteristic of the invention is that the units are stamped out of sheet metal, being substantially U-shaped in cross section and so formed that they may be made very shallow as to cross section-for example, inch in diameter and yet have individual adequate rigidity and adequate flexibility whilst being strong and durable both individually and connected in multiple as a flexible curtain.

A further object of the invention is to provide interconnecting means of such form as to enable very rapid assembly by machine operation.

Further objects of the invention will hereinafter appear:-

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged perspective View of a cigarette case embodying the invention, the curtain having been moved to such position as to expose cigarettes within the case.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the acute angle 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a greatly enlarged perspective view taken from the rear face of one of the units, the latter being broken away.

Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a plurality of the units illustrated in Fig. 4 in assembled position.

Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary perspective view of two modified forms of curtain units shown in connected relationship.

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section on the line 1-1, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged view similar to Fig. 6 showing a further modification.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 9-9, Fig. 8.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, my flexible cover is applied to a cigarette case comprising a tray-like member I formed of a piece of sheet metal having its end margins turned upwardly in a curve and thence downwardly, and each side of the tray-like member I has its margins bent upwardly to form vertical flanges lac, Fig. 3, which are abutted by channel pieces 2 having opposed bearing flanges which extend above and below the vertical flanges la: of the tray. A U-shaped end cover 3 is applied to each channel plate. A plurality of studs 4 directly connect the tray with channel pieces 2 and each stud is formed with a. threaded aperture to receive a screw 5 and passes through the cover plate for securing the latter directly to stud 4.

At the upper and the lower major faces of the device, the flanges of the cover plate 3 form the outer walls of two continuous raceways, the inner walls being formed by the channel member 2.

Slidably movable within the raceways' are a plurality of interconnected units forming a flexible curtain which will now be described.

In Fig. 4 I have shown one of the raceway units stamped out of sheet metal, each unit formed as a trough-like member 6 having lateral extended lips 1, ix. The end section of each unit is preferably depressed to form shoulders 8. Each end also is provided with an extension bent downwardly and thence longitudinally topartially close the trough, and to provide an end abutment 5 for the raceway and also a longitudinal raceway abutment 9.1:. This end formation also strengthens the curtain unit.

When the units shown in Fig. 4 are placed with their ends in the raceways as described the cover plates 3 being placed in position the units are held against displacement from the channel but are free for bodily sliding movement in the raceway. When two or more of the units are placed in abutment and the lips 1, lai'bent toward the outer rounded faces of the units, in the manner shown in Fig. 5, the units will be flexibly interconnected. The simplicity of such form of flexible connection enables the assembly to be formed by a simple machine operation, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The joints or hinges are so placed in relation to the depth of each individual member that its total thickness from the outer rounded face to the inner face is little greater than the depth of each unit adjacent a hinge. By depressing the ends of each flexible curtain unit, the outer rounded face of each unit may lie flush with the flange wall of the cover plates 3, shown more particularly in Fig. 3.

The laterally projecting interconnecting lips of the flexible curtain units may be located at the ends of the unit, as, for example, the side or end extension of the longitudinal raceway abutment 9.1:.

In Fig. 6 I have sho'wn each raceway abutment 99: provided with a lateral lip It], the lips ll] of one unit being bent over to engage the trough wall of an adjacent unit in the manner shown in Fig. 7, whereby a flexible connection is secured.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a construction in which each unit at opposite ends has its trough wall extended to form lips H, which when bent over in the manner illustrated, within the adjacent trough wall of a second unit, will serve to hold the units in flexible connection.

In the passage of the curtain along the raceways they will have relative movement at the rounded. sides ofthe container without the necessity of any flexing or distortion of the individual units. They therefore may be made of any desired gauge of metal or other material.

In the structure shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive, the units may be constructed in final form prior to assembly, whereas in the structure shown in the preceding figures, it is necessary tobend down the lips after two or more of the units have been placed in lateral abutment. It will be noted in the construction of Figs. 6 and 7 that the outer section of the trough wall which receives lip i0 is cut awayso that the hinge formed by'the lip when inzposition will not add to the depth of the assembled: unit;

It-will also be noted that the "hinge formation shown' in Figs. 8 and 9 does not add to the depth of the units. This is a particular advantage in such structures as cigarette and vanity cases where Lit is desirable that the units be of very shallow depth. By means of the present invention, the: depth can .be inch or even less.

When the container is in open position, as in dicated in Fig. 1, the units laterally bounding the entrance to the tray are spaced from each other a. desired distance equivalent to the opening desired; Inasmuch as the units are interconnected a movement given to any of the units at one side of the opening will transmit movement to the entire curtain. When said movement is continued the: units lying at the base of the structure will be moved to the top of the structure until the opening'is entirely closed. A reverse movement of'the curtain will expose the tray in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

By means ofthe invention a flexible curtain is provided which has the appearance of a plurality of tubes placed side by side, the-connecting means beingintegral elements of the curtain units, the units-being stamped out of sheet metal and assembled by a simple lip bending operation as to the. structure of'Figs. 2"to' 5 inclusive or being assembled bymere interfitting lips and'trough wallsin the structure of Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive; Thus, both the construction and assembly is inexpensive and strength with flexibility required is attained with great simplicity.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the'form and arrangement of the construction just described .without departing from thespirit' of the invention. For example, irrFigs. 4 and 5 I have shown unitary lips of the unltsrbent over upon a flexible tape like. member I2'whereby the flexible member I2 frictionally connects a plurality of adjacent units whereby they'may be given unitary motion. By tape like member I include such equivalent means as wire, chain. or other flexible member capable of the same action; It will be understood that the members l2 may be supplemental to lips I, 1x, or their equivalent, or they may be in lieu of said lips.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A flexible closure particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette cases and the like, comprising a plurality of trough-like units having unitary lips, the lips of one unit being bent over to engage an adjacent trough wall of a secondunit whereby the units are interconnected for simultaneous movement and relative flexing.

2. In a container and the like comprising a tray-like member having opposed sides and raceways provided at said sides of a closure composed of a plurality of trough-like units held by said raceways, lips unitary with each trough-like unit, the lips of one unit being bent over to engage an adjacent trough wall of a second unit, the ends of the assembly of trough-like units being spaced to provide an opening.

3. In flexible closures particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette cases and the like, a closure unit comprising a sheet metal piece bent in trough formation, extensions at the opposite ends of the trough each being bent over a section of the trough at each end, and unitary lips projected from said unit and adapted for engagement with the trough wall of a like unit.

4. In flexible closures particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette I.

cases and the like, a closure unit comprising a sheet metal piece bent in trough formation, extensions at the opposite ends of the trough each extension being bent back over a section of the trough and the wall of the trough section at each end being depressed and providing a shoulder extending transversely of the trough, and unitary lips projected from said member and adapted for engagement with the trough wall of a like member.

5. In flexible closures particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette cases and'thelike, a closure unit comprising a sheet metal piece bent in trough formation, extensions at opposite ends of the trough, each extension being bent back over a section of'the trough, and unitary lips projected from said unit at the opposite ends thereof and adapted for engagement with the trough wall of a like member adjacent said bent over end extensions.

6. In flexible closures particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette cases and the like, a plurality of closure units, each comprising a sheet metal piece bent in trough formation and unitary lips projected from each member, the lips of one member being adapted to interlock with the trough wall of a like member, the said members being connected therethrough for simultaneous and relative flexing movements.

7. Inflexible closures particularly applicable to relatively small containers such as cigarette cases and the like, a plurality of parallel adjacent closure units, each comprising a sheet bent in trough formation, unitary lips projected from said units, and a flexible tape like member frictionally engaged by said lips whereby the units may be given unitary motion.

JOSEPH F. KELLER. 

